How much does a full-time CRO earn in the UK

Full-time CRO salaries range from 150000-280000 GBP with pharma and biotech at the higher end.

What qualifications do CROs need

CROs typically have PhD plus 15-20 years research experience with proven track record of successful programs.

Which industries pay CROs the most

Pharmaceuticals and biotech pay highest due to drug development complexity and regulatory requirements.

What is the difference between CRO and CSO

CRO focuses on applied research and product development while CSO may have broader scientific and academic scope.

How much does a full-time CRO earn in the UK

Full-time CRO salaries range from 150000-280000 GBP with pharma and biotech at the higher end.

What qualifications do CROs need

CROs typically have PhD plus 15-20 years research experience with proven track record of successful programs.

Which industries pay CROs the most

Pharmaceuticals and biotech pay highest due to drug development complexity and regulatory requirements.

What is the difference between CRO and CSO

CRO focuses on applied research and product development while CSO may have broader scientific and academic scope.

Fractional CRO Salary UK

Chief Research Officer compensation benchmarks for R&D and scientific leadership 2026

£800-2,000

Day Rate

2-6 weeks

Time to Hire

50-70%

Cost Savings

↓

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Days per week

Monthly Cost£8,000

vs Full-Time£22,000

You Save£14,000 (64%)

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📖1 min read

📅Updated 1 Feb 2026

📝144 words

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£800-1500

Day Rate

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1-3

Days/Week

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50-70%

Cost Savings

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500+

UK Placements

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Key Takeaways

1Fractional CROs work 1-3 days per week, providing senior expertise without full-time costs
2UK day rates range from £800 to £1500, depending on experience and sector
3Typical engagements save 50-70% compared to full-time executive hires
4Ideal for startups, scale-ups, and SMEs needing strategic leadership
5No employment overhead: no pension, NI, benefits, or notice periods

Latest Fractional Jobs

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What is a Chief Research Officer

Quick Definition

A Chief Research Officer leads research and development strategy overseeing scientific programs innovation pipelines and research teams. In pharmaceuticals biotech and technology companies the CRO drives product development and scientific excellence.

CRO Research Salary Overview 2026

According to Glassdoor Chief Research Officers earn 225000-416000 USD approximately 180000-330000 GBP depending on experience and sector. Life sciences and pharmaceutical CROs command the highest compensation due to drug development complexity and regulatory requirements. Fractional research officers typically charge 1200-2000 GBP per day for strategic R&D leadership.

CRO Research Day Rates by Sector

Sector	Day Rate	Annual FTE	Notes
Pharmaceuticals	1500-2500 GBP	200000-300000 GBP	Drug development expertise
Biotech	1300-2000 GBP	180000-250000 GBP	Startup to scale-up
Technology	1200-1800 GBP	150000-220000 GBP	Product R&D focus

CRO vs Related Research Roles

Role	FTE Salary	Day Rate
Chief Research Officer	180000 GBP	1200-2000 GBP
VP Research	140000 GBP	1000-1500 GBP
R&D Director	110000 GBP	800-1200 GBP

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Cost Comparison

Fractional vs Full-Time Executive

Full-Time Executive£286k/year

Salary + Benefits + Overhead

Fractional Executive£106k/year

1-2 days/week average

Your Potential Savings

£180k+

63%

saved

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Time Allocation

How fractional executives spend their time

Strategy30%

Operations25%

Leadership20%

Governance15%

Technology10%

Fractional CRO (Chief Research Officer) Salary Guide UK

Fractional Chief Research Officers provide senior R&D leadership for companies investing in research-driven innovation. Particularly valued in biotech, pharma, deep-tech, and academic spin-out sectors.

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CRO [Day Rates](/fractional-executive-day-rates "Fractional Executive Day Rates") by Sector

Sector	Day Rate	Annual Equivalent
Pharma/Biotech	£1,100-£1,500/day	£220-300k
Deep-Tech	£1,000-£1,400/day	£200-280k
Academic Spin-Out	£900-£1,200/day	£180-240k

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Factors Affecting Research Officer Rates

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Publication record: H-index and citation track record adds value

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Grant success: UKRI, Horizon Europe funding track record

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IP portfolio: Patent and licensing experience commands premiums

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Clinical trials: GCP and clinical programme leadership

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Fractional CTO Jobs UK

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Interim CRO Jobs

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Part-Time CRO Jobs

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Fractional CSO Salary

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UK Fractional Jobs

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Fractional Recruitment Agency

UK Fractional Executive Day Rates

Compare day rates across C-suite roles

CFO£800 - £1500/day

£1100

CTO£900 - £1600/day

£1200

CMO£750 - £1400/day

£1000

COO£800 - £1400/day

£1050

CDO£900 - £1450/day

£1150

CISO£900 - £1550/day

£1200

Rate Range

Average

Source: UK Market Data 2025

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Fractional vs Interim vs Full-Time

Choose the right engagement model

Aspect	Fractional	Interim	Full-Time
Time Commitment	1-3 days/week	4-5 days/week	5 days/week
Duration	Ongoing/flexible	3-12 months	Permanent
Annual Cost	£50-150k	£150-300k	£200-400k+
Best For	SMEs, startups, scale-ups	Crisis, transitions	Large enterprises
Flexibility	★★★ High	★★☆ Medium	★☆☆ Low

Costs are indicative UK market rates. Actual costs vary by role, experience, and sector.

Calculate Your Day Rate

Fractional CMO Earnings

Calculate Your Potential Income

Your Day Rate

£900

£600Avg: £900£1500

Days Per Client/Week

2.5 days

1 day5 days

Number of Clients

2 clients

Weekly

£4,500

Monthly

£19,485

Annual

£216,000

Based on 2.5 days/week x 2 clients x 48 working weeks. CMO UK average day rate: £900.

BetaThis calculator provides rough estimates for illustration only. Actual rates and salaries vary based on location, experience, industry, and market conditions.

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